Voting systems in the UK
This briefing provides an overview of the different voting systems currently used for elections in the UK. It also examines the pros and cons of different systems.

This Note looks at Lords amendments to the European Union Bill 2010-11 covering Committee and Report stages, and Third Reading.
The European Union Bill 2010-11: Lords Committee and Report Stages (175 KB , PDF)
The European Union Bill went to the House of Lords on 10 March 2011 (HL Bill 55 2010-2011). It was debated in Committee for eight days and was sent unamended to the Lords as HL Bill 74 2010-2012 for Report Stage on 8, 13 and 15 June. The Lords 3rd Reading of the Bill was on 23 June and it returns to the Commons on 11 July 2011 (HL 209 2010-12).
The Lords amendments:
• reduced the compulsory requirement for referenda on 56 issues to three
• clarified the sovereignty clause
• introduced a 40% turnout threshold for a referendum to be binding
• passed a sunset clause that will require a future Parliament by positive resolution to revive the Bill.
The European Union Bill 2010-11: Lords Committee and Report Stages (175 KB , PDF)
This briefing provides an overview of the different voting systems currently used for elections in the UK. It also examines the pros and cons of different systems.
The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill would allow for the alignment of rules on absent voting arrangements between reserved and devolved elections in Scotland and Wales.
Election rules state elections must be held using a set timetable. This briefing explains the timetable for by-elections to the UK Parliament.